Oklahoma City Thunder wing Luguentz Dort said he apologized to Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic after committing another fourth-quarter flagrant foul on the reigning star big man, the second such incident between the two players in a span of two weeks. The play occurred during the Thunder’s win over the Nuggets, when Dort was whistled for a flagrant foul while defending Jokic in the final period.
Dort, known around the league for his physical, aggressive style of perimeter defense, acknowledged the contact and said he made a point to seek out Jokic afterward to express that there was no harmful intent behind the play. According to Dort, the conversation was aimed at clearing the air and maintaining respect between the two competitors following a pair of hard fouls in similar late-game situations.
The matchup placed one of the NBA’s most physical perimeter defenders against one of its most skilled and productive centers. Dort routinely draws the assignment of guarding an opponent’s primary scoring option, and his approach often includes fighting through screens and contesting drives with significant contact. Jokic, meanwhile, frequently initiates offense from the high post and low block, inviting tight coverage and collisions in the paint.
In this latest meeting, the contact between Dort and Jokic again rose to the level of a flagrant upon review by officials in the fourth quarter, prompting a stoppage in play and free throws for Denver. The call also drew attention because it followed an earlier fourth-quarter flagrant by Dort on Jokic within the last two weeks, creating a pattern that the Thunder defender felt compelled to address directly with the Nuggets star.
After the game, Dort emphasized that his priority is tough but fair defense and that he respects Jokic’s game and accomplishments. By apologizing, he aimed to reinforce that his physical play is meant to stay within competitive boundaries and that he did not want repeated flagrant calls against the same player to be interpreted as personal or intentional.
The interaction between Dort and Jokic underscored the fine line defenders walk when guarding elite offensive players in high-intensity situations. While physical defense remains a key part of Dort’s identity and Oklahoma City’s approach on that end of the floor, the sequence served as a reminder of how quickly hard fouls can escalate and how players often work to manage those moments directly, on the court and in postgame conversations, to preserve mutual respect and competitive balance.
